Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-05-24
ADVENTURE IN A HAREM.

ADVENTURE IN A HAREM.
mir J. H. Drunmona h"ss
Narrative.
From Murrsy's Magazine.l
In ls43, while attache af the Embassy
az Constantinople, was acting private
secretary of the great "iichee, LORD
Strstford de Redclitfe, then Sir STRAIT
ford Canning. 80,
The British Consul at - had laid
before the ambassador complaints
against the Pacha OF the district where
he reajded, and the latter had also
brought under the notice OF the Porte
grievances of serious character, alleged
70 have been suffered from the proceed
Il as of the consul Attempts were made
both by the Porte and the ambassador
TO bring about settlement of the differ
snces without success. British subjects,
Ionians and Turks, whose interests were
Affected BY this state of affairs, appealed
TO the embassy and to the Porte. urging
that steps should be taken to secure the
ouoa Va JuotfSts -, m
Sir 8. Canning proposed to the t9ree
that sp officer Of the embassy should pe
sent to - to make an inquiry INTO tine
conduct of the two functionaries, and
that he should be empowered both by
the Porte and the Ambassador TO bring
about q settlement OF these differences,
which had been a constant source OF
vexatious correspondence. Sir Stratfora
selected one for this duty, and delivered
TO me letters from the Porte TO the
Pssha. and from himself to the Consul,
acquainting them respectively that bad
been authorized to inquire into the
various questions at issue and to en-.
deavor to bring about settlement,
Both the Consul and the Pasha on my
arrival offered me hospitality. which l
declined, under the peculiar clrcum.
stances in which ! was placed BY my
mission.
The day after my arrival the Pacha
summoned q divan Of several notables,
who were to give evidence, and the con.
sui was also requested to attend. When
| entered the divan, being then youth
of shout twenty-six, l was much shocked
at seeing the Pachs, consul and other
notables with white and hoary boards
and venerable appearance, upon whom
l had, as it were, to sit in judgment.
After pipes and coffee the hearing of the
various subjects in dispute commenced.
Though I refer to the scene. as it af'
fscis the end of my tale. it is needless
70 relate what passed. further than to
mention that l found both Pacha and
consul were In the wrong, but that
neither had acted in 4 manner to require
any severe censure on the part OF the
Porte or ambassador, and drew up q
report in that sense. On my return
journey to the port, having heard that
game was plentiful, / gave my horse TO
the Greek lservsntl to lead, and wan.
dered over the country. l had good
sport; and the Greek frequently warned
me that unless we kept to the beaten
psih and rode on quickly, We should not
be able to reach the port before dark.
continued, however, to shoot, wan
dering into thickets after game many
miles distant from the road, or rather
track, until It became SO dark that l
could no longer see the birds rise. On
remounting / told the Greek to lead the
way, but he declined; he knew not
where we were, nor even what direction
to take. It was bright, clear night,
and At q distance of about two miles
espied light; thither / decided to direct
my steps, and to ask for shelter for the
night. or guide.
We arrived at q large building, with
lattice windows several feet from the
ground, surrounded by high wall, in
closing what appeared to be farm build
ings. with large double gate, where
carts and cattle could pass. After knock.
ing loudly an old Turk appeared. I
spoke Turkish fuently at that time, SO L
told him was an English traveller and had
lost my way, and begged to have shelter
for the night anywhere in the farmyard;
q feed for my horses and some bread and
coffee, If nothing else, in the way OF
tood that was procurable, for myself aud
servant, for we were very hungry.
The Turk replied that his master was
- Bey, who had formerly been in the
service of the Porte; that he was a
landed proprietor; that as his family
dwelt with him, no man could be ad.
mitted into the house, but he offered to
ask the Bey's permission to allow us to
pass the night in one OF the outhouses,
and to put up our horses.
The gate was again closed, and after
waiting o few minutes, q Turkish gen.
tleman, dressed in a handsome fur
pelisse and fez, appeared. After the
usual salutations, he said, "Are you au
Englishman!" i replied that was,
without making myself known as one of
the secretaries OF the British embassy.
He bade me welcome in hearty man.
ner, and turned TO the old man who had
Just opened the gate. directed that my
attendant should be lodged in a room
in the farm buildings, be given what
ever he might require, and that the
horses should be stalled and fed.
Then, taking me to the door of his
house, and opening it with large key,
he stopped on the threshold aud said,
"You are an English gentleman, and
therefore a man Of honor. / am about
to do that which no Mohammedan viii
or ought to do. / admit you to my
harem, among my family. have heard
how English gentlemen visit the house.
Of families, without restraint. shall dc
the same, for / have special reasons fol
nay conduct, which shall relate wher
you have rested. 1t is my earnest hop,
that you should feel as If you we're with
one Of your own countrymen; but l bes
You to keep secret from every one you
visit to my house, and never to mention
whom you may see within It,"
He then led me up narrow staircas,
into well-lighted room, lhandsomely
furnished, with beautiful carpeting
comfortable divans, mirrors, Turkish
tables, arms hung on the wall. and
couch with pretty, embroidered cushions
and silk quilt, which he said was to b,
my bed.
Again and again he bade me welcome
adding. 81 shall leave you to repose-
Won must be hungry. Supper is ordered
A pipe and coffee will be brought I,
YOU; order what you please" Then. O.
he withdrew, he repeated again in
kind manner, "An English Effendi il
alwavs q man of honor"
While inspecting the room and won
xa,;.0 What all this meant i heard ,